Sky Sports has reported that the Edinburgh club have got rid of Jefferies, and his assistant Billy Brown, for a string of poor results dating back to last season.

Hearts have not won a league match since March this year, making it 10 matches without a victory, and owner Vladimir Romanov has made the decision to relieve Jefferies of his duties.

It is believed that the former Kilmarnock boss was offered the director of football role at Tynecastle but turned it down.

Jefferies joined Hearts for a second spell as manager (following his initial stint in 1995) in January 2010 but is now without a job after a draw and a loss in the opening matches of the 2011/12 season.